James 'Jerry' Gathright

April 03, 2007

Aberdeen - Funeral services for James "Jerry" Gathright, 79, Aberdeen, are 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, with Pastor Debora Grismer officiating. Burial at Riverside Memorial Park, Aberdeen, with military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24. Visitation: 1-7 p.m. Tuesday at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., Aberdeen, with family present from 5-7 p.m. James Gerald "Jerry" Gathright passed away at Mother Joseph Manor on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. A well-known Aberdeen musician, he was born on Sept. 22, 1927, in Tampa, Fla., to James G. and Louise (Muller) Gathright. Jerry served in the United States Army Military Police from August 1946 to February 1948. After the service, he studied at Auburn University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Music. In mid-1970, Gathright came to Aberdeen with the Jerry Mayburn Trio and fell in love with not only the town, but his wife Dorothy. He was married to Dorothy LaVonne Estwick on Sept. 19, 1981, and continued to live in Aberdeen. He played dinner music at the Ward Hotel and the Aspen Room of the Lumber Company. He played music for the "Cooking With Hank" television show on Channel 9 for two years. Gathright played with the Harry Eisele Band in the late '70s-'80s, and has been more recently associated with the Bob Downie Band. He has also played with the Aberdeen Little Big Band, Dennis McDermott's jazz group and for many parties as a solo pianist. In May 2005, Jerry was inducted into the prestigious Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame. Jerry was an avid member of the Hub City Amateur Radio Club for 20 years. He served as the two-meter Net Control for approximately 17 years. Jerry was awarded a Certificate of Merit for outstanding service to the Amateur Radio community. He was known as "WN¯Y." Gathright is survived by his wife Dorothy, two sisters: Maggie and Jeannie; three stepchildren: Gene (Marsha) Johnson, Carol (Jerry) Goracke, Nancy (Marty) Harty; seven grandchildren (Monica, Mitchell, Scott, Jennifer, Travis, Jason & Matt), and five great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.